Contributed by Mater mum Nikki
I am currently pregnant with my fifth child. It’s been an interesting journey to parenthood. We have a five-year-old son, miscarried a baby at 14 weeks, and had a twin boy and girl, with twin A diagnosed with Limb Body Wall Complex at 13 weeks. We made it to 33 weeks gestation and delivered them both. Sadly, our baby boy passed away in his mum’s arms two hours after he was born. Our sweet little girl went into Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit, then special care, and returned home in just 22 days.
After our 50 per cent success rate I felt that we were done having babies, while Dad was not quite ready to retire just yet. Immediately after agreeing to begin trying again, we found out we were pregnant with our little miracle.
When we became pregnant, we had an early appointment with the Pregnancy After Loss Clinic. I was very nervous and apprehensive about meeting my midwife and having to explain our journey. My ‘beautiful moment’ was when I arrived at my appointment and was greeted by a familiar face. My midwife was the palliative care midwife who came to visit us after I delivered my twins in 2013, so not only does she know the journey we have been on but she has been an active part of it. I have been at ease ever since. The midwife is a wealth of knowledge and understanding and makes every appointment with this pregnancy so joyful and exciting.
I cannot thank Mater—and their educated, caring staff—enough for the care they have provided for me and my family. I am eagerly awaiting August and the delivery of another Mater miracle for our family.